Shivamogga residents opposing Sharavathi Pumped Storage project demand public debate on project

Alleging that Energy Minister KJ George has misled the public with false information about the proposed Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project, opponents of the project have demanded that he hold a public discussion on the issue at Shivamogga.

Maruthi Guruji, the seer of Bangaramakki near Gerusoppa in Uttara Kannada district, said at a press conference in Shivamogga on Thursday that the Minister should hold a meeting regarding the project in the area. He stated that those opposing the project are ready to participate in the discussion with all relevant documents and will present their arguments.

Mr George had previously defended the project in media interactions, saying it would not cause much damage to forests. Rejecting this claim, the seer said that the state government was determined to implement the project despite numerous expert reports opposing the project.

“An expert panel constituted by the National Wildlife Board has recommended against implementation of the project. However, the project promoter, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited, is currently trying to get a positive report. It has recently approached the National Institute of Advanced Studies for a report,” he said.

The seer also said that the project area is known for lion-tailed macaques, whose ecosystem is already fragmented and the project will cause further damage to the Western Ghats, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. He also claimed that officials were pressuring people likely to be affected by the project to move.

KE Kanthesh of Rashtrabhaktara Balaga and others were present at the press conference.